In the Netherlands the Film Censorship Act is repealed to be replaced by self-regulation by NICAM and Kijkwijzer.

March 14

In his Budget speech, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, announces that the tax breaks for British film production will be extended for three more years.

March 16

Pure and Simple, a record made by Hear'Say, a vocal group 'manufactured' for the UK television series Popstars, sells 600,000 copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling debut single of all time.

April 1

UK colour television annual licence fee increases from £101 to £109. The monochrome licence fee goes up to £36.50.

June 22

Kelsey Grammer, star of Paramount's sitcom Frasier, becomes the highest paid actor on television with a four-year contract for 48 episodes for which he will be paid $1.6m each, compared with his previous reported fee of $250,000, plus royalties from syndication. The previous record was held by the six stars of the sitcom Friends, who are reported to be paid $20m a year each.

June

Video rental company Blockbuster settles a class action about fees for late return of rental videos by agreeing not to charge above the normal daily rate, calling it 'an extended rental fee'. [0081]